The sharp increase in import and export values during 1937 is to a great extent due to rising prices, It appears from the Bureau's computations of price indices for imports and ports and the rise in absolute values that roughly one-third of the increase in import values and about half the increase in expórt values is due to the higher prices prevailing in 1937. The rapid advance in the price of various raw materials and semimanufactured goods in the beginning of 1937 had, moreover, the effect of artificial stimulating imports, as yet further increases were anticipated. This was particularly the case during the second quarter of the year and in a lesser degree during the first quarter. Among other important fac-"tors contributing to the rise in imports may be mentioned the increased demand for machinery, raw products etc. as a result of the improved trade and expanding production in 1937, Improved business conditions also caused an increase in the demand for consumer's goods, The higher export figures are mainly due to a better demand for pulp, paper and metals, The increase in export values is, however, to a considerable extent due to rising prices,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.